Vancouver Whitecaps FC is honoured to have Mason Vander Ploeg as Kid Captain of the club's home match at Providence Park in Portland against LAFC on Wednesday, October 14.
In August 2018, Mason was diagnosed with coarctation of his aorta, a narrowing of the heart's main artery which would block blood to flow to the lower half of his body. He has undergone one surgery at BC Children's Hospital (BCCH) to treat the coarctation and continues to be monitored, as he may need another one in the future depending on his recovery process.
"There isn't a thanks big enough to encompass how we feel as parents - without BCCH, Mason would not have a future, " said Shanna and Kevin, Mason's parents.